Australia’s Department of Agriculture (DAFF) has stated that testing has returned negative results for Lumpy Skin Disease and Foot and Mouth Disease, after over 150 cattle died on a voyage to Indonesia on Vroon’s Brahman Express. Australia has received confirmation from the Indonesian authorities that the export of live cattle from a particular registered establishment in the Northern Territory has been suspended pending further investigations to determine the cause of the deaths.
The department continues to investigate and has stated that clinical signs present in the cattle are consistent with botulism. Detecting botulism through tests is often difficult, owing to the low amounts of toxin present in the bloodstream of affected cattle. Animals Australia says botulism is a largely preventable bacterial infection and if this was the cause of death, the suffering of those animals may have been considerable and prolonged. No information about whether euthanasia was provided has been made public.
There is concern that diplomatic harm may have been caused, because Indonesia was not made aware of the deaths until the remaining 2,300 animals were offloaded and the vessel had departed. One cattle producer stated that it is very difficult to believe that 100 head of cattle died in a few days of botulism without having significant symptoms prior to the voyage.
Veterinarians are not required on voyages between Australia and Indonesia; however, the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) believes that when live export of animals by sea occurs, an Australian Accredited Veterinarian must accompany each shipment. The AVA believes that the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL) regulatory controls are deficient, as they allow exporters to apply for an exemption from having an Australian Accredited Veterinarian on board short-haul voyages.
A delicate diplomatic dance will be expected to play out now, says former live export veterinarian and industry commentator, Dr. Lynn Simpson. Australian law requires that the government is informed within 12 hours if far fewer cattle die onboard. Of course, all these risks could be avoided with chilled meat in boxes instead of live exports, adds Simpson.
